POVERTY AND FOOD INSECURITY IN NIGERIA FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF CHRISTIAN SOCIAL TEACHING AND HUMAN RIGHTS DISCOURSE

Abstract

Poverty is a perennial human problem which has spiritual, social and economic dimensions. However, extreme poverty which manifests itself in hunger, that is, food insecurity, and the lack of other basic necessities of life, is an assault on human dignity and an infringement on fundamental human rights. Poverty and food insecurity are certainly socio-economic problems, but with fundamental ethical questions. For this reason, it has become pertinent to reexamine the increasing situation of extreme poverty in Nigeria. This study has, therefore, for its objective to investigate the problem of poverty and food insecurity in Nigeria from the perspective of Christian social teaching and human rights discourse. The paper is an exploratory essay which has adopted a qualitative method approach. Data was generated mainly from secondary sources, obtained through critical reading of existing literature in print and internet materials. The information obtained was subjected to content analysis and insightful findings were drawn. The findings reveal that poverty and food insecurity have been on the increase in Nigeria since 2004 in contrast to a relative growth in the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Nigeria has spent very low percentage of its GDP on health, education and social welfare, thus fuelling extreme poverty and socio-economic inequalities. Furthermore, human choices, policies and unethical behaviour have contributed to the existing situation. Nonetheless, Christian social teaching addresses such unethical misconduct. The study, therefore, recommended that government should increase its GDP spending on human development. In addition, Nigerian citizens, the rich, politicians, the clergy and pastors should reform their lifestyle to make the poor less dependent on palliatives and charity.